Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It is a different trade from wall painting. The finish has to stand up to hands, steam and cleaning, so most of the work is cleaning, sanding and priming.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls, wood and brick move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Nationally it costs $2,000 to $6,500 to paint kitchen cabinets in an average kitchen. That is $30 to $70 per linear foot, or $120 to $190 per cabinet. Spray painting is published at $40 to $100 per linear foot.
| Kitchen size | National range |
|---|---|
| Small (70 to 100 sq ft) | $1,000 to $3,500 |
| Average (100 to 200 sq ft) | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Large (200 sq ft or more) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
Labor is $1,600 to $5,500 of that and materials are $400 to $1,000, by the same page.
How much for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
By the published per-piece figures, 20 cabinet doors cost $1,400 to $2,500 and 30 doors cost $2,100 to $3,750. That is $70 to $125 per door times the count. Drawers are $30 to $110 each, so 10 drawer fronts add $300 to $1,100.
These sums are arithmetic on national figures, not our prices. The frames, end panels, crown and toe kicks also have to be painted, and they are part of the real quote.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three by the national figures. Painting is $2,000 to $6,500, refacing is $5,000 to $13,000 and full replacement is $4,500 to $15,000. Replacing only the doors is published at $2,200 to $6,600.
Painting makes sense when the boxes are solid and the layout works. Refacing or replacing makes sense when doors are warped, boxes are water damaged or you want a different layout.
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing costs $1,500 to $4,500 on average and painting costs $2,000 to $6,500, by the national figures. Refinishing means stripping or sanding and applying new stain and clear coat, so the wood grain still shows. Painting covers the wood with a solid color.
Refinishing suits good wood in a color you still like. Painting suits dated oak, mixed woods and builder-grade finishes.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes, solid oak cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s are usually worth painting, and oak can go white. West county kitchens in Chesterfield and Ballwin are full of them. The boxes and doors are sturdy, which is what matters.
Oak has open grain. Painted white, the grain still shows as fine lines unless it is filled first. Some people like that texture. If you want a flat, smooth door, say so at the estimate, because grain filling adds a step.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted if it is sound and is cleaned, scuffed and coated with a bonding primer. Thermofoil is harder. If the plastic skin is peeling or lifting at the edges, paint will not fix it, and new doors are the better answer.
We look at the doors before we promise anything. A test patch on the back of one door tells a lot.
Spray or brush for cabinets, and are doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives cabinet doors the smoothest finish, and brushing and rolling with a fine roller is common for the frames that stay in the kitchen. Many painters take doors and drawer fronts away to spray them flat in a shop, and finish the frames in place.
Ask any painter how they plan to do yours. Ask us and we will explain the method we would use for your kitchen.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is poorer. With the doors off, the edges, the hinge side and the frame behind the door all get coated, and nothing sticks shut. Painting without removing the doors leaves bare lines and drips at the hinges.
Doors and drawers should be numbered, removed, and the hardware bagged. That is the normal way.
How long does cabinet painting take and can I use the kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days by the published national figure. You can use your kitchen for most of that time, with limits. The sink, stove and fridge stay in place, but the cabinets will be open and the frames will be wet at times.
Plan simple meals, clear the counters and empty the cabinets we need to reach. New paint is dry to the touch quickly but stays soft for a while, so close doors gently for the first weeks.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip where they take knocks, but they should not peel if the prep was right. Peeling comes from paint over grease, gloss or bare laminate with no bonding primer. Chips come from impacts at door edges and around handles.
Kitchen grease is the main enemy. Every surface has to be degreased, sanded and primed. Keep a little of the paint for touch-ups.
How long does cabinet paint last, compared with a factory finish?
Painted kitchen cabinets last 8 to 15 years by the published national figure. A factory finish is sprayed and cured under controlled conditions, so it is generally harder than a finish applied on site. A careful paint job with a cabinet-grade enamel gets close in normal use.
How long cabinet paint lasts depends on prep, the product and how hard the kitchen is used.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
Pros use a hard-drying enamel made for cabinets and trim, not wall paint. Water-based enamels that level out as they dry leave a smooth finish on cabinets with few brush marks. A bonding primer goes on first.
Wall paint stays soft and sticky on doors. That is the most common cause of a bad home job.
I painted my cabinets myself and they look bad. Can a pro fix them?
Yes, in most cases. If you painted your cabinets yourself and the paint is peeling, sticky or full of brush marks, a pro can sand it back, prime it properly and refinish it. If the paint is not bonded at all, it has to come off first, which costs more than starting from bare cabinets.
Send us a photo or ask for a visit. We will tell you plainly whether it is a sand and recoat or a strip.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (314) 742-3507.